The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I pose the following:

¶ 02 The Constitution grants foremost place to Buddhism and guarantees rights of other religions, and it is the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana and safeguard the Sangha and the traditional monastic order and its cultural heritage. In that context, I seek clarification because the present Government appears to disregard this cultural heritage.

¶ 03 1. Is the Government attempting to amend the Piriven Education Act, No. 64 of 1979? If so, what are the proposed amendments and the reasons for them?

¶ 04 2. Through such amendment, is the Government attempting to remove powers and privileges granted to Chief Incumbents and instead grant powers or privileges contrary to the Act to lay teachers? If so, on what basis? Piriven education is venerable and operates outside the conventional mode; we expect clear answers.

¶ 05 3. What is the Government’s plan to revise the Piriven curriculum? Which subjects are targeted and what is the timeframe?

¶ 06 4. Does the Government have a concrete plan to protect monks dedicated to safeguarding the Sasana and to remove, from the Order, monks acting in an anti-Sasana manner that insults the Dhamma? If not, why? Will the Government strengthen the relevant laws?

¶ 07 5. Does the Government consider the protections in Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, No. 19 of 1931 sufficient for the safety of the Sangha? If not, what plan exists to amend them? The Maha Nayaka Theros have requested strengthening these sections.

¶ 08 6. What allocation was made to the Ministry of Buddhasasana in 2025, and what are the physical and financial progress figures? What programmes are planned for 2026 under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for the development of the Sasana, and what allocations are provided?